Joe Fontana

[Leukemia Awareness Month, February 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I want to applaud the member, the good doctor from St. Paul's. I rise today to add my support to a very worthwhile motion to declare the month of June as leukemia awareness month.

As the son of a leukemia survivor, I know how important this motion is. It really touches my heart. My mother, thank God, has been in remission for six years. Not only did it take the good efforts of the medical fraternity and the research which has been done so far on leukemia, but also the caregivers and the families, which provided the strength and the love that allowed my mother to survive. The quality of life may not be perfect, but it is a very good life and one that we would hope for every person who has been stricken with leukemia.

Leukemia affects all ages, both sexes and every background. Every 10 minutes another child or adult dies from leukemia or a related cancer. In 1999, as we have already heard, 3,000 Canadians were diagnosed with leukemia and 2,100 died of this devastating disease. Leukemia is the number one killer of children. Leukemia is a destroyer of families and as we have heard a devastator of dreams.

Despite these staggering odds, as the doctor, the member for St. Paul's, and others have said, we are winning important battles in the fight to save lives. With the best treatment 73% of our children with childhood leukemia will now survive. That is a great step forward. The overall survival rates have doubled in the last 30 years.

These are important victories with human faces. Yet we must continue to work to win the war. Yes, we all agree that medical research is an important component. We must provide Canada's researchers with the support and the financial resources they need, as well as the opportunity to be able to research in Canada and stop this terrible disease.

We must raise public awareness. This is what June is all about. It is to make it possible for people to become aware of those around them who have leukemia and to make it possible for the volunteer sector to raise the moneys along with governments to be able to continue their fine work on research. It is also an opportunity to thank those men and women in the hospitals and in the homes who provide the love, nurturing and caring that are important parts of the well-being of people.

While medicine is very important, caring and compassion are also important. I must give accolades to those people, for example, Dr. Barr at University Hospital in London, Ontario, and those men and women who looked after my mother and made it possible for her to continue, as so many hundreds and thousands of people work very hard to do.

This motion is essential so that the public understands and knows our commitment as a parliament to the eradication of leukemia and that we will continue to work with all our partners in our communities to ensure that we can stop this disease and make it possible for all those people to dream the possible dream and not to have to suffer the affliction of leukemia.

[Air Transportation, May 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce the introduction of an exciting new educational initiative at the University of Western Ontario.

Beginning in September, Western, along with its partners Air Ontario, Empire Aviation, Diamond Aircraft and the local airport authority, will be offering a four year undergraduate degree program in commercial aviation management.

This forward looking program is the first of its kind to be offered by a major Canadian university. It will enable some of the country's best and brightest university students to combine a solid academic training in business and the social sciences with professional flight training. Graduates will be prepared for rewarding careers, not only as airline pilots but in related areas of the industry such as airline and airport management.

The commercial aviation management program is another excellent example of how students at the University of Western Ontario are being equipped with the skills necessary to ensure that Canada's high tech industries such as air transportation remain competitive in a global marketplace.

[Income Tax Act, December 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I say to all members who have spoken and other members who have indicated their support for this bill how appreciative and encouraged I am by their support.

Some people have addressed issues that continue to be a challenge for governments, federal and provincial, relating to accessibility and affordability of education. But the fact that everyone talked about the importance of education is a highlight in itself. Everyone recognized education is the key to providing hope and opportunities for our young people. We know the economy of tomorrow demands an education. We have to look at all measures. The bill is not perfect.

I introduced Bill C-316 over a year ago and I am happy to see a lot of the provisions in the bill, including the deductibility of interest which has for the first time been introduced as changes to the Income Tax Act in our last budget.

There are a number of initiatives that our government has taken into account with regard to education. We know that education is a provincial jurisdiction. We know that the provinces set the tuition fees. We know that the provinces set the curriculum. What Canadians have told us is that regardless of the fact that government is really responsible constitutionally for education, parents, grandparents and young people themselves want all governments to work together toward education and ensuring that every person who wants to get an education is not deprived of getting that education through colleges or universities or other institutions by virtue of the fact that they do not have any money.

Surely we have learned that regardless of where you live, regardless of your socioeconomic stature, you should be provided the opportunity of education. We know education leads to a much more prosperous life. Hence the government's initiatives, including this bill, hope to address the question of student indebtedness, accessibility and affordability.

I look forward to the support of the House and the support of the government to move on the next part of my bill yet to be addressed by the government, to make sure that all student loans, not only the ones that are under the Canada student loans program, are tax deductible to ensure fairness and equity for all students, not only those who got the money through the Canada student loans program but who went to their banks, their credit unions, their trust companies or other financial institutions to borrow money to further their education and invest in themselves and in the country.

[Income Tax Act, December 8th, 1998]

moved that Bill C-316, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (interest on students loans), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to speak on my Bill C-316. Like my fellow members of the government caucus as well as other members of parliament, I believe that a well educated, vibrant workforce is the key to Canada's continued growth and prosperity and improved standard of living for all.

Of all the riches the country holds, our greatest resource by far is our people. It is our responsibility as the government of this great country to provide the people of Canada with an environment in which they may reach their full potential.

By giving recent graduates a tax credit for interest paid on student loans, the bill aims to support those Canadians who have decided to invest not only in themselves but in Canada and in our common future.

For years businesses have been given a tax credit for interest paid on business investment loans. This credit was granted based on the reasoning that moneys invested in business were contributing back to the Canadian economy.

Bill C-316 builds on this rationale by promoting the concept that a student's investment in his or her education is an investment not only in himself or herself but also an investment in Canada and in our future.

The government adopted the primary tenant of Bill C-316 in the 1998 budget and for that I thank the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and Liberal caucus colleagues for their support. The main issue which remains is the extension of interest relief to all student loans.

There are tens of thousands of students across Canada who do not qualify for government sponsored student loans. For many of these students the only way to pay for their education is to turn to private lending institutions for loans.

Bill C-316 would extend the interest relief credit to involve those loans that have been granted by private lending institutions for the purposes of financing a student's post-secondary education.

Education is a high priority for me and I believe for all members of the House and the government. The growing global economy is creating work that uses minds, not muscle. In the early 1990s more than 60% of new jobs were created in the areas of information and communication technology.

There are few businesses today that do not use a computer somewhere in their organization. Moreover, Canadians who earn good salaries and pay taxes contribute to a strong economy. A strong economy leads to progress and that is why the Liberal government launched a major assistance program this year, the Canadian opportunities strategy. This is good economic policy and good social policy.

The number of jobs requiring a university degree or post-secondary diploma has increased by 1.3 million since 1990. On the other hand, the number of jobs available for people with less education has dropped by 800,000. These statistics speak for themselves and the government is paying close attention.

In addition to transfer payments to the provinces to support post-secondary education, the Liberal government has put in place several initiatives to help Canadians who want to go to college or university. Canadians today must excel at the post-secondary level in order to achieve their personal dreams and to keep Canada at the head of the developed world, a global leader.

The most important direct federal support for post-secondary students is the Canada student loans program. Since the Liberal government brought in this student loan program in 1964, over 34 years ago, 2.7 million students in financial need have received over $12 billion in loans. Loans amounting to $1.4 billion went to 360,000 students in 1996 and 1997 alone. The CSLP is helping 380,000 students this year.

The new Canadian opportunities strategy will help hundreds of thousands of students through a series of measures. The strategy helps students manage their debt load through tax relief for interest on student loans. Graduates with long term problems repaying their loans may be able to reduce their debt or qualify for extended interest relief for up to 54 months. Through an improved student loans program the Liberal government is making it easier for young Canadians to gain the skills and knowledge essential to building an innovative economy.

In 1994 we announced that we would put an additional $2.5 billion over five years into the Canada student loans program. More than $1 billion in Canada student loans helped about 300,000 Canadian students go to college or university this year and the level of commitment is continuing.

We also increased loan limits by more than 50%. They had been frozen by the last government in 1984. We have brought in more flexible repayment rules. Under the old rules borrowers had to begin paying back their student loans six months after graduation even if they were unemployed or earning very low incomes. Under the new rules payment can be reduced or deferred for up to an additional 30 months and the government will pay the interest during that time.

Furthermore, the government introduced Canada study grants of up to $3,000 a year. This will help over 25,000 needy students with children or other dependents. We also doubled the annual limit on contributions to the registered education savings plan to $4,000 so that young families could put more money away for their children's future education. When fully implemented, the budget proposals of last year will increase federal assistance to post-secondary education by over $270 million a year.

This bill is more than a simple tax credit. It is about giving young Canadians the help they need as they enter the workforce, hope and confidence of a prosperous future and the dream of possibilities. It is about telling Canadians that when they choose to invest in their future through education their elected representatives, we here to represent them, will support them.

Since introducing this bill I have received numerous letters of support from students, educators, parents, school administrators from across the country as well as from members of parliament from all parties, all of whom recognize the importance of supporting our young people as they make the transition from classroom to workroom to boardroom.

I call on all members of the House to recognize and acknowledge the importance of supporting Canada's young people, for they are the foundation on which Canada's future will be built.

[The Late Kenneth K. Carroll, October 21st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, with the death of Kenneth K. Carroll on October 3, 1998, London, Ontario, Canada lost its premier nutrition biochemist.

Dr. Carroll was born in New Brunswick and came to the University of Western Ontario as a student. He received the first Ph.D. ever at the UWO.

Dr. Carroll performed a lifetime of pioneering work on the links between dietary components and disease and disease prevention, specifically with relation to breast cancer. He was the founding director of the Centre for Human Nutrition at the university. He trained numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, technologists, research associates and visiting professors. His lab was an international training centre. He worked energetically every day, right up until shortly before his death.

Dr. Carroll was a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and received the lifetime achievement award of the American Oil Chemists Society in 1995.

Plans have been developed to establish the Ken Carroll chair in human nutrition at the UWO.

Dr. Carroll was a highly respected and internationally sought Canadian scientist who brought honour—

[Leukemia Research, June 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my support to a very worthwhile cause, leukemia research in Canada. Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells. If affects children and adults from all backgrounds and of all ages. Canadian research centres across the country have made progress extending the life expectancy of those diagnosed with leukemia. The cure rate for children is 65%. This will only continue with more support from Canadians.

The Leukemia Research Fund of Canada, a national volunteer organization, raises money to provide grants to Canadian researchers and to educate the public about the disease. For the past 42 years, thousands of volunteers have donated many hours of their time throughout the year.

This year the Governor General, His Excellency Romeo LeBlanc, has given his support to this worthwhile cause. I am asking for the support of this House for the designation of the month of June as Leukemia Research Month. I want to thank the many volunteers for their time and encourage others to join the fight against this disease. I thank them on behalf of my mother, a survivor of leukemia.

[Division No. 203, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wonder if there are any rules in the House that would allow the member for York South—Weston and his five conspirators from the Reform and Conservatives to be charged the $40,000 it has cost the Canadian taxpayers for this farce tonight.

[Income Tax Act, February 12th, 1998]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-316, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (interest on student loans).

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce this private member's bill to amend the Income Tax Act, a bill which acknowledges that student loans are an investment in the future.

The purpose of the bill is to decrease the student loan debt load and facilitate access to post-secondary education by allowing students or their co-signers to deduct their annual interest payments on student loans from their annual taxable income.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Canada Mortgage And Housing Corporation, April 25th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Mr. Nicholas Varias of Nouvelle Development Corporation of London, Ontario as the national winner of Canada Mortgage and Housing's flexhousing design competition.

CMHC is promoting flexhousing as new concept in residential design. Instead of the occupant changing homes, homes can change to suit the occupant. A home office, a private suite for aging parents or growing children, features that meet the special needs of a single parent or a person with a disability, flexhousing homes can accommodate all of them.

CMHC launched a competition last year to encourage designers and builders to create flexible, adaptable and affordable homes that are both comfortable and attractive. Mr. Varias' winning design reflects CMHC's flexhousing principles of adaptability, accessibility and affordability, and incorporates a number of healthy housing features such as environmental responsibility, energy efficiency and occupant health.

Canadians home builders, as always, are at the forefront of change and true leaders in the world.

[Supply, February 13th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I express my appreciation for being given the opportunity to comment on federal support for VIA Rail.

The Reform opposition motion before us condemns the government's actions with respect to a number of its transportation policies. I do not have the time to get into all of them but I want to spend a little time speaking about our government's support for VIA Rail. The motion is another indication, especially by the Reform Party, of how out of touch it is and how little it understands about the country.

Over the past two or three decades Canadians have supported their national passenger rail service. For the Reform Party to suggest in its blue book platform that VIA Rail should be privatized, which would mean the abandonment of VIA Rail services to hundreds of communities across the country, surely does not point to a national party that supports the needs of the passenger transportation of the country.

There is something bizarre about the motion of the hon. member for Kootenay West-Revelstoke. The Reform transport critic said on June 4, 1996, as reported in the Hill Times : ``I have agreed with the concept behind all the government's transport bills over the past two and a half years, with the sole exception of the Pearson airport cancellation bill''. We have heard this song and dance before with regard to Pearson. He said on June 4, 1996 that he supports all policies, save and except that one of the government, but his motion today condemns what the government is doing.

I like the member for Kootenay West-Revelstoke. He has been a very active member of the transport committee as I and my colleagues have been. For the most part he puts forward some very positive viewpoints and has been in agreement with the government in most cases. I find rather bizarre that all of a sudden today he decides that he is against everything he stood for just the other day.

Liberal governments of the past and of today are governments that supported passenger rail service. When the Tories had power for those gruesome eight years and put this country through pain, it was the Liberal Party from 1988 to 1993 that fought for the retention and enhancement of VIA services.

The government believes that every community needs a national passenger rail service. It also recognizes that the transportation system needs to be an affordable, integrated and efficient system.

Everything we have done since 1993 was to put in place certain efficiencies that do not destroy the transportation systems but enhance them and ensure that Canadians have them, not only businesses but people who rely on our transportation services.

I compliment VIA and its employees. They have not had a very good time since 1989 when Mr. Mulroney and the Tories slashed the VIA network by 50 per cent.

In 1993 the government had a deficit to deal with. It had to impose certain cutbacks on VIA as was done with other departments. What was made clear, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the men and women who work for VIA, the management and employees, was that they were able to do so without cutting one service to the country in the past three and a half years even though their subsidy levels were falling by over $200 million. They did that in a very pragmatic, orderly way making sure that VIA service was available to Chatham, Toronto and all other parts of this great country.

It is also clear that VIA remains committed to looking for opportunities and efficiencies to enhance services by working with their workers, by working with communities and by working with

other partners. It is looking for the opportunity to better serve Canadians from coast to coast with the best passenger rail service.

It has moved to improve the attractiveness of rail service by making certain infrastructure upgrading to permit 100-mile per hour operation of trains on the Montreal-Quebec routes and 95-mile per hour operation on the Toronto-London-Windsor route. The Montreal-Senneterre, the Montreal-Jonquière and the Jasper-Prince Rupert train schedules were revised to provide daylight services for local residents and development of tour packages.

To reiterate, VIA is always looking at ways of enhancing its passenger base. VIA has worked at combining a series of fare increases with special promotion fares and plans to develop year round markets for its services.

As a result of these service initiatives revenues have increased by 26 per cent and the number of passenger miles increased by 16 per cent between 1990 and 1996. Over the same period the number of passengers increased by 5 per cent. The higher increase in the number of passenger miles is because the average trip taken by each passenger increased from 221 miles to 246 miles between 1990 and 1996. It is further indication that Canadians support and want passenger rail service.

The best measure of VIA's success has been the steady increase in its cost recovery levels. Something we would expect from every corporation and in all our operations is that they move toward cost recovery. Between 1990 and 1996 the cost recovery ratio increased from 26 per cent to 44 per cent. This marks the first time ever that VIA's cost recovery has been over 33 per cent.

Under the National Transportation Act, 1987, the government subsidized the operation of three uneconomical passenger services because it believed in treating all regions of the country in a fair and equitable way. Therefore the railways that the government supported and continues to support, the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, the Algoma Central Railway and the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, is a further indication of its commitment to passenger rail service.

The new transportation act was passed by the House within the last year. It states that the new Canada Transportation Act maintains the government's commitment to remote areas along these routes by having the Minister of Transport enter into special agreements with the railways to provide financial assistance but to give them greater autonomy in how best to provide those services.

It is clear and I do not know why the Reform Party does not get it. The country is a national federation, a country where we need national infrastructure. VIA is the national passenger infrastructure to provide services across the country. Four hundred communities depend on passenger rail service. For Reformers to suggest in their blue book privatization and the depriving of Canadians of passenger rail service, or for them to suggest in their platform book, their new fresh start 1995, the total disbandment of the transportation ministry and the $750 million, indicates that they do not believe in the national government having any role in national transportation.

This is bizarre. I have listened for the last few hours to the Reform Party suggesting that we ought to do more. The fact is that the government is doing more. I do not understand how Reformers can stand and say we should be doing more when their blue book and their fresh start say that we should be doing less or should not be involved at all.

In conclusion, we continue to believe in VIA. We continue to believe that there are opportunities to have VIA work in a most efficient way and to ensure that Canadians have passenger rail service from VIA. We ought to continue to support VIA in its attempt to modernize and in its attempts to provide more service. VIA ought to be given the mandate and the opportunities to enhance its passenger ridership in all parts of the country.